Police investigating Virgil van Dijk racist slurs

ANGUS WRIGHT

POLICE last night confirmed they are investigating a complaint that Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk was subjected to racial abuse during his side’s victory at St Mirren Park.

The Dutch defender reported an incident to police following Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match in Paisley, which Celtic won 2-1.

The 23-year-old acted after hearing chants from the crowd. A police statement read:

“Police Scotland has received a complaint from a Celtic player alleging he was racially abused by a spectator during the St Mirren v Celtic match on Saturday.

“Police are liaising with both clubs and are analysing broadcast and CCTV footage. Inquiries are ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish Football Association has postponed a hearing into allegations of racist abuse levelled at Celtic’s

Bulgarian winger Aleksandar Tonev until 30 October.

Aberdeen full-back Shay Logan accused the on-loan Aston Villa player of a racial slur during his team’s 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park on 13 September.

The Bulgarian has been called up for international duty ahead of this month’s Euro 2016 qualifiers with Croatia and Norway.

But Tonev was due to appear before an SFA disciplinary panel on 9 October – the day before his country’s meeting with Croatia – to answer a charge of “excessive misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature”, so Hampden officials have now rescheduled his principal hearing until the end of the month.